Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Finally, on behalf of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, I thank all who have contributed so much to this afternoon's session. I believe it has been very informative and productive and I think we have learned much from their insight and observations. Full account will be taken of today's discussions when a draft report has been prepared, and copies of the final report will be sent to all. As this is our final public hearing on this topic, I wish to put on record my gratitude to all members of the committee - that is, all our Senators - for their hard work over recent months. In particular, I thank Senator Freeman, who proposed this topic for discussion and who has worked extremely hard in the background in preparation for these hearings. I also thank sincerely all those who sent in submissions to the committee and the witnesses who appeared before the committee. I particularly wish to thank the parents for telling us about their experiences, which can be most distressing and difficult for the families, of seeking mental health services. Last week, the committee heard some powerful and moving accounts from parents of their experiences of youth mental health services in Ireland today. To that end, I acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery today of Lauren Keogh and Sinéad McGee, both of whom presented at one of last week's sessions. I also express my gratitude to the secretariat of the Seanad office, particularly Bridget Doody, who, so to speak, has been my right arm, and the Library and Research Service for its valuable input into this public consultation.